A PAIR of Peregrine falcons, the terrors of Bournemouth’s pigeons, have again returned to raise chicks on a 150ft Bournemouth clock tower.

They are back for the fourth year at Bournemouth and Poole College by The Lansdowne roundabout in the town centre.

They are the fastest animals in the world, reaching speeds of around 200mph as they dive for their prey.

Peregrines usually nest on cliff tops like those around Durdle Door, but have also found homes on cathedrals and other tall buildings.

Tony Whitehead from South West RSPB said: “Peregrines will keep coming back to the same spot for years and years and they usually lay a clutch of three to four eggs.

“Even if the female dies, different birds will use the same spot and set up all over again.

“They will just be looking at the clock tower as a cliff face.”

Peregrine numbers have grown since they almost went extinct in the 1960s and the 2002 survey recorded 1,500 pairs around the country.

They usually hunt around dawn and dusk – and birds nesting in urban areas feed mostly on pigeons.

The Bournemouth male is best seen on clear days, when he perches around the top of the tower in the sunlight, or preens himself on one of the ledges.

A college spokesman said there were no signs of chicks yet though it is not possible to get close from inside the building.

Paul Marks, who is in charge of the premises, said: “We do monitor our feathered guests from time to time but obviously it’s best if they are left alone to get on with life.”